All the single ladies (all the single ladies)

I had this thought while finally washing a  sink full of day old crusty dishes today. It felt like something that may be useful for someone specific to hear. The urge was so strong to write it down that I am currently writing this while staring at like 3 more crusty pans that still need washed. So here it is - out in internet land for whomever it is intended.

***

When you think about the life you want to give your future kids I'm sure it includes a great father. One who knows how to love, who knows patience, who is giving, sacrificial, protective, kind and good in his heart, who can communicate. A good man is worth the wait. Less for you and more for your babies. A distant Dad, a mean Dad, an abusive Dad, a passive Dad, those are impossible things for a baby to process. You can. You can tell yourself it’s not your fault, you can handle it. The baby can’t. The baby will grow up and still be trying to figure it out. The baby will get older and run into the arms of someone just like Dad. You owe it to your babies unborn to let go of the bad ones even if you're afraid the good one won’t come. You may even have to let go of a good one because you know they aren’t the one. Tell God what you want and then listen to him when you sense the noes and the yeses. They feel like anxiety (no) and peace (yes). It is simple but not always easy. Remember that.

In the meantime try not to worry about it. God made you. He really did. And if you follow Him He will always lead you to good things. Always.

Privacy Thoughts

The other night I was home alone. Drew was picking up a painting, Westley was in bed and some guy pulled up came to our door and banged on it. I didn't answer because I didn't know him and I never answer if I don't know the person. In fact I never answer the door unless I know you are coming.

Anyway the first thing that came to my mind was, "HOLY CRAP SOME CREEPER READ MY BLOG AND IS STALKING MY FAMILY AND IS HERE TO ATTACK ME."

That was my first freaking thought.

I called Drew and he was like, "Maybe the guy is old and confused or something and thought it was his house."

Both of these thoughts clearly show some things:

1. We watch too many Dateline shows.

2. We watch too many dramas with plot lines about amnesia and confused people doing strange things.

3. I am afraid of someone reading my blog and getting all creepy on us.

I know it is barely even realistic. I mean like 20 solid people read this blog. And I pretty much know all of you. If we've never met, you comment enough that I think we have and we've probably emailed about baby poop or what the best high chair is.

But it's nagging me. Maybe it's the Mama Bear in me. When I go to the grocery store I smile and am kind to people but there is this hidden Ninja in me ready to throw down a round house kick to the face to anyone who stares me down in the check out line and follows me to my car (this has happened to me before as well as other scarey situations. You see why I embrace my inner Ninja.)

Whatever it is, I want to protect us.

All that is to say, it may be irrational but I may be making this blog private in the near future.

I took a break a few months ago thinking I would come back strong and ready to share, but I think the three months has had the opposite effect on me. I have enjoyed telling my family & friends what is going on with me since they don't already know. I have taken on more work so that we can make ends meet here at the Jones Cottage and I so time is still very precious.

But there remains the truth that I do love writing. And I love sharing. And I love that I've become friends with a lot of you.

But that is just it, we are friends. So just like when high school ends and you go off to college and start anew, there are some friends that you are still having dinner with 10 years later and there are some that are just memories. And that is okay. That is life. 

I'll let you know before it happens, but I just wanted to explain a little where I am at so it wasn't a big shock.

Also - who knows I could totally change my mind. That's the beauty of this forum. I can embrace my contrary nature about things such as this.

Love,

Lady Lee Mama Bear Ninja Kick Jones

Drew Jones does it again.

Drew Jones' is being featured in the gallery opening, "A Night in the Country".

His artwork will join a handful of other talented folks and I am really excited about it.

He will have several pieces for sale including these two beauties...

There is always part of me that feels like I am selling a litter of well-loved pups when he has a show. It's hard to say goodbye to his work but thrilling at the same time to know that someone who enjoys it will hopefully proudly display and love them as much as we do. He also has a painting that is a beautiful, serene seascape for sale. I wish I had a photo because, knowing how much I like it, he made a point to ask me if it was alright to put it in the show. It took me a couple days to say yes.

I really am that man's biggest fan.

So if you are in the Columbus area and want "A Night in the Country" surrounded by beautiful artwork come on out. I think it will be a fun Valentine date night for sure.


 "A Night in the Country"
curated by Kirsten Bowen

15350 Center Village Rd
Johnstown, Ohio

from 6-10 pm

 ALSO Sunday, February 12th, 11am-3pm

The best extended sleepover ever.

You know you have found good friends when you leave them feeling:
encouraged
refreshed
inspired
more comfortable in your own skin
more yourself
understood
and so so sad that they had to leave.

I met Elizabeth and Molly on the internet through blog-land of all places. On my birthday in November we had a skype date and they surprised me with a video full of pictures of them and caption bubbles. It's grand finale announced that they would would be flying in from Alabama and NYC to Ohio to visit me. Me! I can't tell you how special that made me feel. I couldn't believe it and by now you can probably guess that I cried from joy because that is what I do. I spent the next 2 months randomly getting butterflies in my stomach because I would remember that I get to spend almost 5 days with friends that were becoming dearer and dearer by the day.

We had such a darn good time. I don't know how else to put it except that we have friend chemistry that is rare and good. It was just easy to be around each other as if we had known one another for years.

When I dropped them off to the airport on Monday afternoon I literally had to do that thing where you disconnect from what is happening so that you don't get all mushy gushy and cry all over the place. On the way home Westley was fussing in the back seat (probably because Everett and Elizabeth weren't sandwiched back there with him) and so I started talking to him. I said, "It's okay buddy! We are going home now. Our friends are going to fly on a plane to their homes and it will be just be us and Scoutie and Dada again." And then I stopped talking because my throat got tight.  When Drew Jones came home from work and I showed him the paci that Everett forgot in his bed here he got all misty eyed and said, "It's so weird, I really missed them all day today. They just feel like family."

So all of that is to say, thank God for:
long late night talks
Drew's Diner
A&W root beer
two nakie babies in our bathtub
Jeni's ice cream
slap happy laughter
and the sort of understanding and connection that is rare and precious.

Now prepare to be assaulted by photos of our sweet time together...